Ok I am getting new wheels soon, and I am debating weather or not to get them in 16" or 15". I always ran on 15" wheels in the past when I had my civic because IMO they look fine on a civic, but now that I have an integra I think they look much better with 16" wheels. Now my question is for those of you who went from 15" to 16" wheels what are the advantages and disadvantages you saw in switching? Is acceleration decreased due to larger wheel diameter? Is handling improved due to larger wheel diameter and lower profile tires? I would like to know both the good and bad about going with a 16" wheel because I really am having the hardest time of my life deciding on what to do. Thanks for your help.

 

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I believe acceleration may be a little slower but not alot. Your handling should be a little better, due to the fact that you most like will have .5 to 1'' of a wider contact patch. If you like the look of 16's I would say get them.

 

Going from 15 -> 16 I didn't really notice the slower acceleration or better handling (cause I bling the 16's, not track 'em).

If these are your street wheels, don't worry about it. Just as long as you don't get chrome team loco's or something.

Anyway, I do notice that the 16x7 wheel grabs a lot more than the 15x6. The steering wheel is always jerking me around over every bump and pit I go over.

 

Yeah... But keep your 15"s for track wheels. There are heaps more options tyre wise for 15's than the lower profile 16's.

Just my 2c.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by skafia &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

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Anyway, I do notice that the 16x7 wheel grabs a lot more than the 15x6. The steering wheel is always jerking me around over every bump and pit I go over.
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I thought i was the only one that had that with steering.

I'm on 16's too.

 

Smaller & Harder Sidewalls.

 

When I went from 15x6 to 16x7, I noticed that absolute grip increased. However, I did feel that acceleration was slower as well.

It's a trade off.

I like the 16's myself, but of course they had 225 width tires on them.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by TopNotchR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I thought i was the only one that had that with steering.

I'm on 16's too.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yup - this is the biggest thing I noticed as well when switching to 16's. The wheels tend to find any groove in the road and follow it.

 

I definately noticed the grip added with 16's with azenis versus the 15's with azenis. Night and day.

 

Imagine the stunnas that put 18" blings on their tegs

 

The Type R runs great on very light 16`s and 40 offset. It´s a little smaller overall diamater, almost the same weight but tire has a harder sidewall and if you choose a 7,5 rim, you got the best of all...

Acceleration is the same (according to my Gtech)
Better Handling (sidewall is stiffer)
Better grip (tire is wider)
Better looks...personal taste, ok.

Choose cp035 winning gold and you will love it.

There`s this one little thing: Tires in 215/40/16 are rare... well, there are a few good ones out there though

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITR1858 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There`s this one little thing: Tires in 215/40/16 are rare... well, there are a few good ones out there though</TD></TR></TABLE>
You can squeeze a 225 onto the wheels....

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SoCal ITR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
You can squeeze a 225 onto the wheels....</TD></TR></TABLE>

True... But I don`t like the wobble.. 215 feels stiffer and more exact for me..I`m tracking my car on street tires (slicks are not allowed for me as long as I receive my license in September this year)

 

luv them 16" jdm blingers

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ITR1858 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

True... But I don`t like the wobble.. 215 feels stiffer and more exact for me..I`m tracking my car on street tires (slicks are not allowed for me as long as I receive my license in September this year)</TD></TR></TABLE>

I drove with a set of JDM 16's with 225 S-03's (very stiff sidewall) and didn't have a problem... but th 225 is pushing it for a 7" wheel.

If quick steering response is really important, I would stick with 215's like ITR1858 said.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tachman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Yup - this is the biggest thing I noticed as well when switching to 16's. The wheels tend to find any groove in the road and follow it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

yea, that's kinda scary, when I roll on the 16s gotta drive with the 2 hands to make sure those grooves don't drive me off course.

 

IMHO there are a lot more tire choices if u stick with 15" rims. Rims' weight will be lighter for sure. And there are more and more 15" rims that can work great with big brakes like AP Racing or SPOON, etc.

I won't switch to 16" unless I have a hard-tuned civic/integra.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by spoonek4 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">IMHO there are a lot more tire choices if u stick with 15" rims. Rims' weight will be lighter for sure. And there are more and more 15" rims that can work great with big brakes like AP Racing or SPOON, etc.

I won't switch to 16" unless I have a hard-tuned civic/integra. </TD></TR></TABLE>

What if you got bigger brakes?

 

Getting 15x7 is also another option.

 

My stockers make my car feel more nible and faster than my 215-45-16 Rota/Falken Azenas.

 

If it matters, I just feel more comfortable with 15" wheels. So, I can fly over bumps & potholes.

I love the looks & feel of 16" wheels, but for daily driver I would choose 15x7" wheels + 205/50/15 tires.

For weekend cars, 16" would be my choice.

As for track, I think it's an interesting debate. One advantage that 15's have is that the tires are cheaper & there are more selections. But, if price doesn't matter, I wonder which would be a better choice for track. Hmm.

 

Well thanks for all the comments guys. I think I just decided to go with the 16's. Only problem now is I am unsure of what tire size to buy cause alot of you are running 215 and 225 and I'm not understanding how you are doing it without rubbing. Most likely I would like to run 215 if I can do it without any rub, but I was just going to get 205/45/16 because thats the only size I know of that doesn't rub. If you guys can tell me for sure that 215 tires won't rub on my teg then I would go that route. So how many of you are running 215/40/16 or 215/45/16 without rubbing?

 

I think 205/45/16 tires are a great size. There are not a ton of options in this size but the Pzero, Nero, and Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 are all good tires. Wider tires will be more weight.

My car IS faster with 16's but that's because I'm running lightweight Volks (11.5 pounds) and lightweight Pzero's (18.8 pounds). The stock R rims weight 15.6 pounds and the stock RE010's are 21 pounds.

I just ordered new Pirelli Nero tires today. The Pzero's have been great but I want a more quiet tire with a better ride.

 

225 will rub on 16's at full lock.